Marin Bear Valley 94/95

[wayevs]

Hello all , newbie here to the group. I have just come into ownership of a Marin Bear valley 94/95 not sure which year. I would love some information and tips if possible in trying to restore it to former glory. I love the way the bike looks and you don't see any around this part of the world west Wales. I'm looking to use it as a commuter for work and some light trials. As you will see from the pictures it's not in the best of shape , the frame has large patches of rust , paint is missing and some parts the left stx shifter won't go into 3 only 1&2 but the right hand shifter works flawlessly through all gears , grips need replaces , brakes need looking at very squeaky Anyway any help where to start would be much appreciated , my knowledge of fixing /restoring bikes is pretty much zero but I can use a socket set ..

 

[Tsundere]

Hey, nice project with lots of potential and a great one to start you off. I had the SE version of this very bike, many happy memories.

What are your plans for the bike? Are you just looking to get it running and tidied up a bit? Or a full restoration? If you're in no rush to get the bike running I would slowly and carefully remove everything that you can take off, that will probably leave you with just the headset, cranks and bottom bracket. Give everything a through clean, try flushing the shifters out with some degreaser followed by WD-40 and see if that frees them up.

Post pics here of anything you are unsure about, plenty of experts and helpful enthusiasts who will be able to offer you tips and advice.

 

[Tootyred]

Welcome. Always good to see a marin. Nice riding bikes with plenty of spares out there.

Im with @Tsundere , go for the full strip down.....take your time, ask plenty of questions and take lots of photos for us all to join in. Why not start a build thread in the bikes section.....

 

[Tootyred]

Ps, if you can see the frame number under the bottom bracket, i can probably tell you the exact year. But from the graphics it looks like 94...

 

[greencat]

The bear valley is a solid workhorse mountain bike of the era - and should be good for many more years.
On the left hand shifter problem, a blast with some spray lubricant inside the shifter and/or gentle attempts to keep working the gears may get it working again. Often they get stiff with disuse, but come good with a bit of practice shifting.

Loads of youtube videos which make it easy to learn how to do most jobs.

 

[wayevs]

Thank you all for all tips and information. I gave the bike a good clean up earlier and it looks better already! still has all original parts it seems to me and I'd like to keep it original . I am going to take it apart and start cleaning stripping the rust off parts would you say it's worth powder coating? Thanks.

 

[marc two tone]

Its your bike, do as you will but, i wouldn't spend on a recoat. Although it'll be nice and fresh, you may have to spend on new decals and, the parts will look a little outclassed causing further grandeur for a better presentation. I say this as you mention its intended use. The rust scabs may be improved by a light scoring with wd40.
Take each part at a time, cleaning helps diagnose a lot. If its ok, shove it back on.

For my own purchases, i hit the headset and bottom bracket first. That alone tells you alot about overall condition, and gets you into clean nooks and crannies.

As above, each stage will throw up 'how to do' but we're ready!

 

[wayevs]

Its your bike, do as you will but, i wouldn't spend on a recoat. Although it'll be nice and fresh, you may have to spend on new decals and, the parts will look a little outclassed causing further grandeur for a better presentation. I say this as you mention its intended use. The rust scabs may be improved by a light scoring with wd40.
Take each part at a time, cleaning helps diagnose a lot. If its ok, shove it back on.

For my own purchases, i hit the headset and bottom bracket first. That alone tells you alot about overall condition, and gets you into clean nooks and crannies.

As above, each stage will throw up 'how to do' but we're ready!

Thanks for the advice really appreciate it. Your right I dont think the bike is worth throwing money at it's not exactly a sought after model as much as I love it . Yes I will need all the help I can get going through with the process of stripping and cleaning. If I can get the bike pokmi g presentable and riding smooth I will be happy , I took it for a ride down the local quayside earlier and it will need some attention although in its stock formand considering it had been standing for years in a garage it rode better than expected probably a testament to how well engineered these bikes were back then.